Category: Common Conditions

What is a Root Canal?

Are you experiencing the discomfort of an aching, inflamed tooth? Root canal therapy can provide relief. Not only will it cleanse and purify your root canal, but we’ll seal off any future infection so that you won’t have to worry about this happening again! Don’t allow yourself to be in pain; take back control with root canal therapy today.

What are the signs of needing a root canal?

If you often experience pain, swelling, or bleeding around a tooth and extreme sensitivity when eating food and drinking hot or cold fluids, then it’s likely time for root canal treatment.

• Sharp pain while chewing or biting
• Pimples on the gums
• A chipped or cracked tooth
• Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers even after the sensation has been removed.
• Swollen or tender gums
• Deep decay or darkening of the gums

Will I feel pain during or after the root canal?

Root canals are generally performed to lessen the uneasiness caused by an infection or inflammation in a tooth’s pulp. Fortunately, due to sophisticated numbing techniques, most people do not feel any discomfort during and after their procedure.

Post-treatment, you may encounter a few days of sensitivity in your tooth. Pain or infection could be more pronounced if there existed before the procedure. The discomfort and anguish can be alleviated with over-the-counter medications or even prescription drugs if necessary, so heed your dentist’s advice precisely for the best results!

After your endodontic treatment, your tooth may feel slightly different from your other teeth. If you experience severe pain or pressure lasting longer than a few days, it is best to call your dentist.

How much will the root canal procedure cost?

When calculating the cost of this dental procedure, numerous factors must be considered, including which tooth needs treatment and how severe your condition is. Molars often require more detailed care and thus come with a higher fee. Luckily, many dental insurance policies will cover some (if not all) endodontic therapy expenses.

In general, endodontic treatment and restoration of the natural tooth cost less than extracting the tooth. If a tooth is removed, an implant or bridge must be placed to support the teeth on either side and enable chewing. These alternative procedures can often cost more than endodontic treatment and restoration.

After the procedure, will the tooth need any special care or additional treatments?

To protect your treated tooth from fracturing, you should book an appointment with your dentist for a complete restoration as soon as possible. Meanwhile, do not chew or bite down on the treated area until it is restored. Maintaining good oral hygiene habits such as brushing and flossing daily and regular dental checkups are essential for keeping your teeth healthy. Make sure these remain part of your routine!

What can I eat after a root canal?

Following a root canal, try to eat softer foods that don’t require much chewing. This will help you recover quickly and comfortably. This includes applesauce, yogurt, eggs, and fish. Be careful when consuming hard or hot foods to prevent cavities or tooth pain. Some dentists recommend not eating for a few hours until the numbness from dental work fades, so you don’t accidentally bite your cheek or tongue.

Does a root canal kill the tooth?

A root canal may remove the tissue but doesn’t kill the tooth. In fact, after a successful root canal procedure, your treated tooth will return to work just like it did before you had any issues. Although root canals remove the nerves inside a tooth, these nerves are not essential for a fully formed tooth.

For those who have a highly diseased tooth, root canal treatment is an effective way to save it. The common dental procedure removes infected pulp from the inside of the root of the affected tooth. The canal is cleaned, filled, and sealed to prevent infection or damage. The tooth is often restored after the root canal treatment so that it can return to full function and normal appearance.  If Dr. Gibbs has recommended a root canal, you may have a few questions.

What is Dental Pulp?

Dental pulp is found in a tooth’s pulp chamber. Pulp is found just under the dentin layer beneath the enamel. The shape of a tooth’s pulp chamber determines the size of a tooth. Pulp is a soft substance composed of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The pulp extends out into the root canal of the tooth.

Why does pulp need to be removed?

There can be several reasons why the pulp of a tooth needs to be removed during root canal treatment. When the pulp becomes damaged, it can begin to decay and deteriorate. Over time, this can cause infection and other complications. To restore the tooth’s health, your Glen Ellyn dentist will need to drill out and remove all the pulp in the tooth.

What Damages a Tooth’s Pulp in the First Place?

Pulp can become inflamed, irritated, or infected because of deep decay, large fillings, trauma to the face, cracked or chipped tooth, or repeated dental procedures on the tooth. When the pulp becomes damaged, it can cause a lot of pain. If left untreated, it can worsen and affect the whole tooth or other surrounding teeth. Early root canal treatment can relieve pain, prevent further damage, and save the natural tooth.

What are the signs a root canal is needed?

Sometimes, the signs that indicate you need a root canal are obvious. You may suffer from a severe toothache, or notice a cavity. Other times, it takes the experienced eye of a Glen Ellyn, IL dentist to determine that root canal treatment is needed. Dr. Gibbs can often spot the sign of problems before it escalates. For most people, physical symptoms are not too bad until the problem becomes more advanced. Here are some of the signs you may need root canal therapy:

• Chipped or Cracked Tooth
• Persistent Toothache
• Long-term Sensitivity
• Dark or Discolored Tooth
• Swelling
• Bump on the Gum

The Root Canal Procedure

The root canal procedure can require more than one visit to the dental office. Dr.Gibbs will remove the affected tissue or pulp from the tooth. Then, the inside of the tooth is cleaned. Once it is cleaned it will be filled with a dental composite and then sealed. If the tooth has a lot of decay, Dr. Gibbs may recommend a crown to strengthen it and prevent it from breaking.

Will a Root Canal Include the Use of Anesthesia?

Each individual has their own level of pain tolerance. For most root canals, a local anesthetic will be used to numb the area around the tooth being treated. The area should continue to be numb for several hours after the procedure. For patients who suffer from dental anxiety or phobia, other types of sedation dentistry may be offered. Minimal sedation to “take the edge off” may help some patients relax even though they will still be awake for the procedure. In some instances, an oral sedative is given prior to the procedure. Dr. Gibbs will discuss your need for anesthetics.

Root Canal Recovery

The tooth may be a little sensitive for a few days after a root canal treatment, especially if it was infected before the dental procedure. Over-the-counter pain medications are usually enough to manage the discomfort. Most patients return to normal activities the day following the treatment. You may notice the tooth feeling a bit different from your other teeth for a few days. Contact Dr. Gibbs if you experience any of these symptoms:

• Noticeable swelling inside the mouth
• Hives or itching, or other signs of an allergic reaction to medication
• Acute or severe pain
• The return of symptoms that you had before the root canal

Root Canal Outlook

Root canals have a huge success record and with proper dental hygiene, they should provide results that last your lifetime. Dr. Gibbs places a crown on a tooth following the root canal treatment that will provide extra strength and durability for the tooth.

Root Canal Complications

Most of the time, there are no complications from root canal treatment. However, in rare cases, it is possible that they can occur. Here are four rare but possible root canal complications:

1. Infection. If bacteria enter the tooth during the procedure, an infection may occur. Antibiotics can be prescribed to treat the infection and in extremely rare cases, the tooth may need to be re-treated.
2. Broken Teeth. If the crown is not placed in a timely manner following a root canal, there is a chance that the tooth could break.
3. Fractured Root. In very rare cases, a root could have small pre-existing cracks that could cause a root to fracture during the procedure.
4. Numbness. If the material was to move outside the placement area, it could cause numbness and inflammation. It’s also possible that the nerve could get bumped, punctured, or bruised during the procedure, although this is not likely.

 Contact Us

If you have any tooth that is bothering you, it’s important to make an appointment right away. Don’t hesitate to contact our offices to schedule an exam. You can also use our online contact form. We will take care of you!

The roots of our teeth anchor them in the gums and jawbone. Like the tooth, the roots have nerves. If you have an exposed tooth root, it can cause sensitivity. Left untreated, it can lead to serious dental health problems. The good news is that if you have associated pain, especially while brushing your teeth or eating cold or hot foods, Smile Glen Ellyn can help relieve your pain.

What causes exposed tooth roots?

There are many reasons that might contribute to a tooth root showing through gum tissue. Most of the time, one of the types of gingivitis, or gum disease is the primary culprit. At Smile Glen Ellyn, we want to get to the cause of an exposed tooth root. This helps develop a plan for treatment and take preventative measures. The causes of exposed tooth roots and nerves include:

Gum disease. When you have gum disease, your gums can become swollen and weak. This also makes you susceptible to loss of gum tissue which means they recede and leave roots exposed.

Harsh brushing. When you brush your teeth, if you apply too much pressure, it can strip the enamel and cause gums to become inflamed. This can lead to root exposure.

Trauma. Any kind of trauma to the teeth, even teeth grinding, can weaken the protective outer layers and leaves nerves and roots exposed.

Orthodontic work. Braces can make it harder to brush your teeth properly. When you do not stick to a regular oral care regimen, the enamel can weaken and leave inner layers vulnerable. If you are being treated by Glen Orthodontics, discuss oral care with your dental care provider.

Misaligned teeth. Teeth out of alignment can cause gaps along the gum line. This allows a buildup of plaque bacteria and can leave gums vulnerable to disease.

Tobacco use. Smoking damages your teeth and can increase your risk of exposed tooth roots. Tobacco use puts you at risk for decay and tartar buildup which are the leading culprits of gum disease.

Symptoms of an Exposed Tooth Root

If you are worried about having an exposed tooth root, there are plenty of symptoms to let you know there is a problem. One of the most common symptoms is tooth sensitivity. If you notice severe pain when you are eating or drinking sweets, acidic foods, or hot and cold beverages you may have a tooth root showing through gum tissue. When roots are exposed, gums may bleed, swell, or become tender. The affected tooth may become discolored. The nerve might become infected and be swelling and pain.

Are there any effective treatment options?

Your dentist in Glen Ellyn, IL may recommend you brush with a toothpaste for sensitive teeth to curb the pain. Also using a soft-bristled toothbrush can be helpful. Avoiding the use of tobacco can help reduce sensitivity associated with an exposed tooth root. Also, talk to Dr. Gibbs about treating types of gingivitis and gum disease. A dental surgeon may be able to cover the exposed area with a gum graft. Sometimes the exposed areas can be covered with dentin or white sealers. Nightguards can provide protection from a trauma that often occurs during nighttime tooth grinding.

Contact Dr. Gibbs, Dentist

If you suspect you have an exposed tooth root, make an appointment with Smile Glen Ellyn. Dr. Gibbs and his staff can discuss appropriate treatment options and preventative measures you can take. Call us today with your questions and concerns. Or, schedule an appointment for an exam today.